A David Warner-inspired Sunrisers Hyderabad have stunned the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore with an eight-run victory to win the Indian Premier League for the first time.
Skipper Warner, who confirmed he'd end his self-imposed year-long booze ban to celebrate the success, led from the front with a brilliant 69 from 38 balls after winning the toss and electing to bat as his side clocked up an imposing 207 with Queensland's Ben Cutting chipping in with a quickfire 39 from 15 balls.
Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli got the RCB response off to a blistering start with the West Indies masterblaster feasting off some loose bowling as he smashed eight sixes and four boundaries before departing for 76 after top-edging a Cutting delivery to Bipul Sharma.
Kohli was uncharacteristically subdued in comparison to his opening partner but his departure for 54 proved to be the turning point as RCB slipped from 2-140 from 13 overs to finish 7-200 with AB De Villiers (5), Shane Watson (11) and Sachin Baby (18) all failing to fire as the Sunrisers' attack held their nerve in the final four overs.
"It's a fantastic team achievement and for me quite overwhelming I'd like to thank the chairman and his wife for the opportunity to lead this side," Warner said.
